Direct drive distributed generator integrated with stayed rotor

Abstract

A wind turbine power generation system incorporates a turbine rotor having a plurality of blades extending from a hub with each blade having an inner blade and an outer blade. A collar is provided on each blade with the inner blade extending between the hub and collar and the outer blade extending from the collar. A generator ring is carried by the collars and includes a generator rotor attached to the collars to rotate with the turbine rotor. A stator ring is supported from the generator rotor by a low friction interface for relative rotation with the generator rotor. A torque stay system prevents rotation of the stator ring for generation of power from the rotating turbine rotor as a linear distributed generator.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]1. Field[0002]This application relates generally to the field of large rotor turbines for wind power generation and more particularly to a structure for a large diameter direct drive generator integrated with a stayed wind turbine rotor.[0003]2. Related Art[0004]Wind turbines that reach multi-megawatt scale have large diameter low speed rotors (8-15 RPM). Typically, such wind turbines require a high step-up in rotational speed through a gearbox to provide economic generator and system efficiency. While there are gearbox designs suitable for the low RPM and high torque characteristic of very large wind turbines, these are large, complex heavy machines that require a very high degree of precision in manufacturing and assembly, and where component change-out in the field or offshore can be problematic. Some multi-megawatt wind turbines use a direct drive generator, which requires a large diameter (10M+) generator to attain gap speed sufficient for economic operation. Pr...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]Exemplary embodiments provide a wind turbine power generation system incorporating a turbine rotor having a plurality of blades extending from a hub with each blade having an inner blade and an outer blade. A collar is provided on each blade with the inner blade extending between the hub and collar and the outer blade extending from the collar. A generator ring is carried by the collars and includes a generator rotor attached to the collars to rotate with the turbine rotor. A stator ring is supported from the generator rotor by a low friction interface with stationary positioning against the rotation of the generator rotor. A torque stay system prevents rotation of the stator ring for generation of power from the rotating turbine rotor as a linear distributed generator.

Problems solved by technology

While there are gearbox designs suitable for the low RPM and high torque characteristic of very large wind turbines, these are large, complex heavy machines that require a very high degree of precision in manufacturing and assembly, and where component change-out in the field or offshore can be problematic.

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